Call for Navy security review

US politicians are calling for a review into how the suspected gunman in Monday's rampage at the Washington Navy Yard received and maintained a security clearance, despite a history of violent episodes.

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US politicians are calling for a review into how the suspected gunman in Monday's rampage at the Washington Navy Yard received and maintained a security clearance, despite a history of violent episodes.

Lawmakers say this most recent incident shows serious flaws in the federal government's process for issuing security clearances and vetting contractors - an issue laid bare earlier this year by former National Security Agency contractor turned whistle-blower Edward Snowden.

Democratic Senators Claire McCaskill and Jon Tester plan to send a letter to the Office of Personnel Management's inspector general, demanding answers about how Alexis' background check was conducted for his security clearance.

An FBI spokeswoman said they believe Mr Alexis entered the complex with a shotgun, and then gained access to handgun once inside the Navy base. A spokeswoman said:

We believe that Aaron Alexis entered the building [...] complex with a shotgun. We do not have any information at this time that he had an air 15 in his possession. We also believe Mr Alexis may have gained access to a handgun once inside the facility, and after he began shooting.